Site manager Wayne Rawson told The Lincolnite: “We’ve got 35 weeks from today, so we have got a lot to do. Today we are doing the demolition of the work that was done in the 80s.

“It was a glass and metal work extension that has obviously created a bunch of shops around it. We are now taking it back to the original Corn Exchange building.

“There will be a new build that goes at the back and it will create five new units. There will be a restaurant upstairs I believe and the rest of the shops are yet to be let out.”

The team behind the works, which are in tandem with the City of Lincoln Council, said they have been speaking with traders along Sincil Street who have been impacted by the project.

“Day one we have brought in issues having to close the road but we have been around every shop in the area, there has been a letter drop, we’ve introduced ourselves and we’ve explained exactly what’s going on and exactly when the road’s closed and how long it’s closed for.

“Generally everyone is happy that it’s happened.”

Modern extensions to the Corn Exchange are currently being demolished, allowing views of the new facades from the High Street.

Business as usual

Some traders in the area are worried about the affect the works will have on business, stating that these independent stores are their livelihood.

Traders are wanting to remind the public that it is business as usual on Sincil Street.

Carol Ganwell, Store Manager at Curtis, said: “There is a big impact on trade throughout the street. Obviously today there has been a slightly greater impact because they’ve moved the barricades outside the front of the Co-op for works.

“I dont think it has been advertised enough that Sincil Street is still open and we have seen a drop in footfall since the bus station closed.

“What I want to hear is people saying that we still have a heartbeat here.

“We want it to keep going and we want to be here at the end of it but help us through it and keep coming to see us. Business is absolutely here as usual.”

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